Uthama Villain

"Neenga nallavara? Kettavara?","Kadavul paadhi mirugam paadhi kalanthu seitha kalavai naan", "I am a hero and a villain" - This one liner has followed Kamal haasan all through his film career. Again, Uthama-villain is a new addition. Uthama villain is a tribute to his guru - K.B. The film not only stays a tribute but states the inevitable truth - death. Mortal is the artist, immortal is the art. The film travels on a thin-line story with a huge star cast.

The film takes a slump at the beginning with the "Love-a love-a" song where Kamal tries some pathetic moves in dance (Probably, it is a satire on commercial cinema). Manoranjan (Kamal) is a top actor and he goes commercially big in all his movies. When he faces an unexpected "Art is long, life is short" situation, he decides to go back to his Margadarisi (K.B.) for a movie. The film travels between two different centuries, but both finally state the same fact - the fact of life - death. There is symbolism scattered all over the movie. The scene where Kamal haasan confesses to his daughter - he clears his makeup, the scene where Kamal's dark side is shown - Kamal stands in front of 'uthama villain' poster and villain points towards him, the scene where Kamal asks for break during his shooting - intermission and many other scenes. Each scene has been crafted to perfection and there is Kamal haasan's stamp all over. Kamal haasan's stint with dialogues / scenes featuring atheism continues in uthama villain when he shows that even god is mortal. The climax scene is portrayed with an ironic stamp. Yes, that is the master-stroke!

Kamal has shown a wide-range of emotions, but the scene where he cries when he first sees her daughter's photo stands out. This might be the 'Moondram pirai' version of Kamal haasan. But, there is overdose of crying with all the characters crying atleast once. Nasser comes up with a commendable performance and proves his versatility. He is in tough competition to Kamal haasan in the period-drama. Urvashi pulls off each scene with ease and she takes the lead of all lead-ladies portrayed. That is where the experience has its say. Parvathy menon, Pooja kumar and Andrea play their role to perfection. Manohar (as Kamal's son) doesnt' look like a newcomer and he is here to stay. Ghibran's music also travels between centuries and he is a real talent, Kamal's continuous collaborations with him in the upcoming movies prove that. 

A perfect tribute to K.B., a perfect example of Kamal's midas touch is Uthama villain! A dragging screenplay proves a villain to uthama villain. But, finally it is "Annatha aadurrar... othiko othiko! Thennaatu vengai thaan.. othukko othukko!". It is Kamal who makes the movie gripping! Every character scores in atleast one scene and there is one character who scores in every scene. Kamal has shown his expertise in every possible scene. He is unarguably the biggest superstar of Indian cinema! Kamal has often been a Nostradamus predicting unemployment (Varumaiyin niram sivappu), Tsunami (Anbe sivam), bio warfare (Dasavatharam) and now - his guru's death (Uthama villain). 

Uthama villain - A must-watch for movie-lovers. But, as usual, it is a 50-50 audience poll for Kamal haasan!